Pass by the smithy and its crowded lounge in winter// time when the cold keeps men from field work, – for then an // industrious man can greatly prosper his house – lest bitter // winter catch you helpless and poor and you chafe a swollen foot // with a shrunk hand. The idle man who waits on empty hope, // lacking a livelihood, lays to heart mischief-making; it is not an // wholesome hope that accompanies a needy man who lolls at ease // while he has no sure livelihood.
While it is yet midsummer command your slaves: `It // will not always be summer, build barns.'
Works and Days, 493-503. c. 700 BC. The first written-poet in Greek (Homer composed his poems orally)